Web Content Viewer (JSR 286)

Commercial Requester Information Handbook

Commercial Requester Information Handbook

Public record information may be released by DMV to any person for an authorized purpose. An authorized business purpose may include, but is not limited to, vehicles/vessel lien sales, underwriting auto insurance policies, and pre-employment screenings. A driver license/identification (DL/ID) record contains information obtained from an individual's DL/ID application, abstracts of convictions, accidents, and any actions taken by the department. A vehicle/vessel registration (VR) record contains information relating to the registration of a vehicle or vessel. CVC §1808 describes the above as open to public inspection.

Residence addresses are confidential and information will only be released as authorized by CVC §1808.21, which states that any residence address in any record of the department is confidential, and shall not be disclosed to any person, except a court, law enforcement agency, other government agency, or as authorized by statute. Other confidential information include physical and mental conditions, controlled substance offenses (VC 1808.5), and Social Security Numbers (VC 1653.5(f). (Please visit our website at www.dmv.ca.gov for more information.)

Statutes authorizing residence address release include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Financial Institutions licensed by the state or federal government to do business in the State of California which state under penalty of perjury that they have obtained a written waiver of California Vehicle Code (CVC) §1808.21 signed by the individual whose address is requested. [CVC §1808.22]

2. Insurance Companies licensed to do business in California when the company, under penalty of perjury, requests the information for the purpose of obtaining the address of another motorist or vehicle owner involved in an accident with their insured or requests the information on an individual who has signed a written waiver of CVC §1808.21. [CVC §1808.22]

3. Attorneys who state under penalty of perjury, that the motor vehicle registered owner's or driver's residential address information is necessary in order to represent his or her client in a criminal or civil action which directly involves the use of the motor vehicle. [CVC §1808.22]

4. Vehicle Dealers licensed to do business in the State of California if the dealer, or its agent, under penalty of perjury, requests and uses the information only for the purpose of completing registration transactions and documents. [CVC §1808.23]

5. Any person who, under penalty of perjury requests and uses the information as permitted under subdivision (h) of California Civil Code (CCC) §1798.24, if the request specifies that no person will be contacted by mail or otherwise at the address included with the information released. [CVC §1808.23]

6. Vehicle Manufacturers licensed to do business in the State of California if the manufacturer, or its agent, under penalty of perjury, requests and uses the information only for the purpose of safety, warranty, including a warranty issued in compliance with CCC §1795.92, emission, or product recall if the manufacturer offers to make and makes any changes at no cost to the vehicle owner. [CVC §1808.23]

7. Any person who certifies that the residence address information will only be used to notify the registered and legal owners and all persons known to claim an interest in the vehicle of an impending lien sale or intent to dispose of the vehicle. Each residence address requested from the files of the DMV will be required by and will be used pursuant to the applicable statutes including but not limited to the following: CVC §22658, 22851, 22851.8, 22852, CCC §3068 through 3072 and Harbors and Navigation Code §500-509.